Gulf Breeze is near the very top of Florida near the Alabama border and reachable by bridge. It was founded in 1935 and is surrounded by water on three sides, Enjoy al that Gulf Breeze Florida has to offer: nature at its best with beaches and animals, watersports and spending time in the outdoors and family fun. Read more to find out all the things to do and see.
Outdoor recreation
1. Beaches: Opal and Pensacola Gulf Pier
Opal beach was created in 1995 when Hurricane Opal flattened the dunes to create a smooth sugar-sand beach. It offers outdoor showers, picnic shelters, great fishing and ways to watch the wildlife such as birds and sea creatures. It’s located east of Pensacola in northwest Florida.
Opal Beach
Address: FL-399, Pensacola Beach, FL
Open Hours 8 a.m. to sunset daily
*Rates Adults 7 USD Private Vehicle under 15 passengers 15 USD
Website: Gulf National Seashore
The Pensacola Pier has a view of some of the greatest sunsets on Pensacola Beach, see wildlife such as dolphins, manatees, brown and cow rays, different types of sharks and crabs. There’s fishing, restaurants, and a gift shop, all located on the pier.
Pensacola Gulf Pier
Address: 41 Fort Pickens Road Pensacola Beach,FL
Open Hours 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily
Website: Pensacola Gulf Pier
2. Hiking: Brackenridge Nature Trail
Naval Live Oaks Preserve was created in 1828 by John Quincy Adams to preserve a coastal stand of live oaks to use for the military to make their boats. Later it became part of the Gulf Shore National Seashore holding its protection. Visitors can hike the trails that go on both sides of the island, goes past the dunes, wildflowers and is good for any skill level of walker. There are 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) of trails and one trail is named after former President Andrew Jackson. The Brackenridge Nature Trail is a 0.5-kilometer (0.3-mile) boardwalk loop trail that includes an overlook area near Santa Rosa Sound.
Brackenridge Nature Trail
Address: Gulf Islands National Seashore, Andrew Jackson Trail, Gulf Breeze, FL
Open Hours 8 a.m. to sunset daily
Website: Narval Live Oaks
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3. Bird watching at the Gulf Shore National Seashore
The National Seashore has a variety of birds to see, more than 280 species of birds have been identified since the seashore’s creation in 1971. There are dunes, beaches, marshes and wooded areas for the birds to live in. Visitors can get a bird checklist at the visitor center. A great place to see migratory birds such as the songbirds who make their journey over the Gulf of Mexico.
Gulf Shore National Seashore
Address: 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway Gulf Breeze, FL
Open Hours 8 a.m. to sunset daily
Website: Gulf Shore National Seashore
4. Water sports: Wave runners and parasailing
Gillian’s Watersports has been in service since 1990 in nearby Destin. Parasailing goes for an hour to an hour and a half and starts from private dock and returns there, so no swimming or shuttles.No experience needed, kids 6 to 18 can ride with a parent’s consent. The wave runners are all three seaters and deposit is required for rental as well as pass a Florida boater test.
Gillians Watersports
Address: 530 Harbor Blvd.Destin, Fl
Open Hours 8 am to 8 pm CT
Rates Parasailing by Reservations Wave Runner 1 hr 80 USD, 2 hr 140 USD, 4 hrs 240 USD
Website: Gillians Watersports
5. Snorkeling with Bay Breeze Dive Center
Discover the adventures underwater as you go diving, scuba diving is the most exhilarating feeling imaginable. Anyone can learn to scuba but participants must fill out health forms before doing a class. There are classes for kids and adults, a senior can do the class if they pass the health requirements. S.C.U.B.A. is an acronym for Self-Contained-Underwater-Breathing-Apparatus. A scuba system allows autonomous diving (diving without an air line to the surface).
Bay Breeze Dive Center
Address: 49 Gulf Breeze Pkwy Gulf Breeze, Florida, FL
Open Hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 10 am to 6 pm, Wednesday & Sunday 10 am to 5 pm, Friday 9 am to 6 pm and Saturday 8 am to 6 pm
Rates Classes are from 299 to 699 USD
Website: Bay Breeze Dive Center
Family fun
6. Gulf Breeze Zoo
The Gulf Breeze Zoo covers 50 acres of wildlife with feeding giraffes, a train ride through safari area and meeting a zookeeper that tells stories and information about the animals. There’s also behind the scenes tour with giraffes and hippos and hands-on experience with animals. There is a gift shop as well as a place for dining at the zoo.
Gulf Breeze Zoo
Address: 5701 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL
Open Hours March to September 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., October to February 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Rates Adults 17.95 USD, Seniors 16.95 USD Kids 15.95 USD 2 and under Free, Train Ride 4 USD Animal Feed 3.50 USD
Website: Gulf Breeze Zoo
7. Boat tours
Visitors can do a variety of things through the boat tour including seeing the beautiful landmarks, beaches and water areas and exploring Sand Island, an island near Pensacola. The boat docks right at the island to let you explore and watch bottlenose dolphins with the help of the on-boat sonar to find them. Tours take place in the Santa Rose Sound and are perfect for the whole family.
Pensacola Beach Sailing Tours
Address: PO Box 1437 Gulf Breeze, FL
Open Hours 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time daily
Website: Pensacola Beach Sailing Tours
8. Go carts at Fast Eddies Fun Center
Fast Eddies is locally owned and operated on 1 hectare (3 acres). In addition to go-carts, they have a batting cage, arcade, mini golf and various water activities. There are races for adults and kids. The track is equipped with a Computerized Scoreboard and Timing System.
Fast Eddies Fun Center
Address: 505 W Michigan Ave, Pensacola, FL
Open Hours Monday to Thursday 3 to 8:30 p.m., Friday 3 to 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Website:Fast Eddies Fun Center
9. Mini golf at Tiki Island
Tiki Island Mini Golf is at DeLuna Beach Club on Pensacola Beach. The course is 0.4 hectares (one acre) with 18 holes and the course features four waterfalls, two rivers, three bridges and a view of the beach.
Tiki Island Mini Golf
Address: 2 Via de Luna Dr Pensacola Beach, Florida, FL
Open Hours Monday and Wednesday 12:30 to 10 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 12:30 to 11 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Website: Tiki Island Mini Golf
10. Swim with dolphins: Chase N Fins
Chase N Fins is offered by Aquatic Charters which offers two-hour cruises around Pensacola Bay and other area waters.The boat is a 15-meter (50-foot) boat with lots of deck space. The crew is very knowledgeable about dolphins and the local landmarks.
Chase N Fins
Address: 655 Pensacola Beach Blvd, Gulf Breeze FL
Open Times 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day
Rates Adults 25 USD, Children 5-12 15 USD and under 5 is free
Website: Chase N Fins
Enjoy Gulf Breeze
Gulf Breeze is a great tropical town that has everything that families and outdoor enthusiasts need for their time in the sun. There’s something for all interests: water, land or family fun.